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Drawn to Greatness: Disney's Animation Renaissance
Drawn to Disney’s Animation Renaissance tells the story of the studio's game-changing comeback with their hit animated films in the 1990s. It’s a story worthy of Disney’s most beloved fables and fairy tales…but this story happened in real life! The journey begins just after the passing of Walt Disney in 1966 and provides the chronological story of how a group of Disney artists, trained by legends who had worked on the studio’s classic films, believed in the power of storytelling and the hallmarks of Disney and transformed animation at the studio in a re-birth the likes of which had never been seen. Each Disney animated film from 1988’s Oliver & Company through 2000’s The Emperor’s New Groove is captured in firsthand Drawn to Disney’s Animation Renaissance contains insight from producers, directors, animators, art directors, story artists, and executives conducted during the Renaissance and gathered together in this book for the first time. These include producer Don Hahn ( Beauty and the Beast , The Lion King ), animators Glen Keane (Ariel, Aladdin & Tarzan), Eric Goldberg (the Genie), Andreas Deja (Jafar & Scar), directors Henry Selick ( The Nightmare Before Christmas ), Kevin Lima ( A Goofy Movie & Tarzan ) and Walt’s nephew, Roy E. Disney, who was instrumental in shepherding this unprecedented period at the studio. Drawn to Disney’s Animation Renaissance will enhance your enjoyment and appreciation of these beloved films. You may have watched them countless times, but after reading, you will want to watch them all over again! This is a book that will resonate with Disney enthusiasts, film fans, and those who have grown up with and been inspired by the groundbreaking films produced during Disney’s Animation Renaissance.
232 pages, Paperback
Published March 6, 2022
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57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 7, 2023
Everything I wanted it to be! I listen to the author on the podcast Dis-Order: Every Disney Film religiously, and his first book did not disappoint. Hopefully there will be more to come!!!
June 23, 2022
I like many others know Michael Lyons from his wonderful Dis-Order podcast. I was excited to get a book from his perspective talking about the Disney Renaissance. Lyons uses many quotes from Disney animators, directors, voice actors, etc. from his own personal interviews.
He tells an interesting chronological history of the studio starting in its dark ages and ends pretty much in present day (2022). Lyons' book helped clear up some confusion of the Disney studio timeline for me and I felt I learned a lot of trivia.
The only issue I felt the book had was Lyons tries to give a brief synopsis of each movie. I enjoyed these synopses personally and had no trouble following any. But there were a few I felt may be confusing for someone who may not have seen the movie. But in the end, anyone reading this book would most likely be reading it because they are a Disney fan, and those people (like me) would have to trouble tracking.
He tells an interesting chronological history of the studio starting in its dark ages and ends pretty much in present day (2022). Lyons' book helped clear up some confusion of the Disney studio timeline for me and I felt I learned a lot of trivia.
The only issue I felt the book had was Lyons tries to give a brief synopsis of each movie. I enjoyed these synopses personally and had no trouble following any. But there were a few I felt may be confusing for someone who may not have seen the movie. But in the end, anyone reading this book would most likely be reading it because they are a Disney fan, and those people (like me) would have to trouble tracking.
January 6, 2023
Book of the Mouse Club Podcast January 2023 Selection! Check out our show to hear our interview with Michael (upcoming at time of writing this review). I've loved hearing Michael's expertise as 1/3 of the Dis-Order Podcast hosts, so it's no surprise this is a treasure trove of knowledge. The highest compliment I can pay this book as an avid Disney fan is that I learned a lot from it. I grew up during the Disney Renaissance and have watched the Waking Sleeping Beauty documentary many times, so I initially wasn't sure how different this book would be from that story. What truly enhances this text and makes it unique is Michael's integration of quotes and perspectives from various interviews he conducted with many key stakeholders of the Disney renaissance during that exact time period. Can't wait to learn more about the research and writing process behind the book when we chat with Michael later this month!
January 16, 2023
I read this book as the January 2023 selection for The Book of the Mouse Club (a book club podcast dedicated to Disney themed books). If you are a fan of Disney Animation you need to read Michael Lyon’s book and listen to him in the podcast Dis-Order where he and co hosts analyze every Disney animated film in order. Most know the Disney Renaissance films very well, they are some of the most celebrated films of the company. But Michael’s contextualization of the making of the films with company history and current events of the 1990s-2000s really helps you to understand why these films were so special. His book is well research and his writing style accessible to all readers. I learned a lot and moved through the book at a good pace. I highly recommend and please check out episode #86 of the Book of the Mouse Club podcast for our interview with Michael!
February 15, 2023
If you love Disney Animation, Disney History...or were lucky enough to grow up during the 90's and the Animation Renaissance....then this book is for you. Full of interesting facts, behind the scene stories, and insightful looks at some of the greatest animated movies of all time through interviews and stories from those who were there. In some ways this felt like a time capsule that I was reopening as I read about each film...and also made me want to rewatch all of them. At the same time, the book doesn't shy away from the missteps, criticism and challenges that the period also faced. A great read!
July 23, 2022
Highly recommend to anyone who is a fan of animation in general or of Disney!
Having listened to the Dis-Order podcast (where Michael is one of the hosts), I half expected this book to be a rehashing of what I had already heard - but I was pleasantly surprised! Not only did Michael provide more depth/background to the movies in Dinsey's animation renaissance, he presented them based on the influence to animation and to our culture without undue focus on his personal opinions (which we hear more of in the podcast).
Having listened to the Dis-Order podcast (where Michael is one of the hosts), I half expected this book to be a rehashing of what I had already heard - but I was pleasantly surprised! Not only did Michael provide more depth/background to the movies in Dinsey's animation renaissance, he presented them based on the influence to animation and to our culture without undue focus on his personal opinions (which we hear more of in the podcast).
August 17, 2023
Between 2 amd 3 stars for me on this.
There are nuggets of information here that are really interesting. The problem is that every film gets a plot summary that isnt needed and can take up several pages, and it includes films that are not considered part of the renaissance. No one thinks James and the Giant Peach is part of the renaissance.
The moat interesting bits for me were the scales of numbers of people, the lifecycle of fantasia 2000, and how different films focussed on different art styles like Mulan and Hercules.
There are nuggets of information here that are really interesting. The problem is that every film gets a plot summary that isnt needed and can take up several pages, and it includes films that are not considered part of the renaissance. No one thinks James and the Giant Peach is part of the renaissance.
The moat interesting bits for me were the scales of numbers of people, the lifecycle of fantasia 2000, and how different films focussed on different art styles like Mulan and Hercules.
April 12, 2022
What a joy to read this book by my personal friend, Michael Lyons. He truly put his heart and soul into this book and it shows. I really enjoyed reading about my generation’s favorite animated classics and what I truly believe are the best of all time. He includes a synopsis of each film as well as details about expectations, box office performance, critic reviews, and the entire process of animation as it adjusted to newer technology. For an 80s baby, this book was great!
May 22, 2022
I enjoyed reliving the history of Disney’s Renaissance, which includes most of my favorite Disney titles. Michael Lyons is a co-host of one of my favorite podcasts, Dis-Order, and his professional access to so many people who worked at Disney in the ‘90s means this book is full of interviews with people who actually worked on these movies and have really fun stories to tell. This was a wonderful walk down memory lane.
April 16, 2024
Absolutely fantastic! I never realized how many trials and tribulations the Disney animators had to go through during that period of time. It makes me have a newfound love and appreciation for that time period in Disney animation history.
April 29, 2022
A fascinating collection of anecdotes and personal interviews that dive deep into where the Disney Renaissance came from and what made it work.
December 1, 2025
I loved hearing the history of Disney animation and am excited to read his next book!
January 27, 2025
This was a lovely homage to the Disney animated films of the late 80s to early 2000s - it was short, but provided a few fun facts for each film of that era, even the lesser known ones. If you feel an ounce of nostalgia for any film during that era, this is a book for you.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews